Getting up close and personal: Using peer research assistants for participant observation in a youth alcohol project
ISSN: 1443-9883
Article publication date: 18 February 2019
Issue publication date: 18 April 2019
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of peer researchers in participant observation.
Design/methodology/approach
The research involved interviews with 11 fieldworkers aged 18–25 years.
Findings
The method improves access to settings and provides useful context information on participants.
Research limitations/implications
It is a useful method in situations where normal access to participants and settings is problematic.
Originality/value
The paper is the first ever evaluation of supervised peer research (as opposed to peer-led research).
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research was carried out at the National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, through a grant provided by the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation.
Citation
Northcote, J. and Phillips, T. (2019), "Getting up close and personal: Using peer research assistants for participant observation in a youth alcohol project", Qualitative Research Journal, Vol. 19 No. 2, pp. 132-145. https://doi.org/10.1108/QRJ-D-18-00046
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited